Pubdate: Sat, 14 May 2005
Source: Midweek News (UK)
Copyright: 2005, Trinity Mirror Plc.
Contact:  http://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0400bracknell/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2839
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

A DRIVE TO BURY DRUG DEALERS

THE MESSAGE sent from a new Thames Valley Police initiative to evil
drug dealers plying their trade within the community is crystal clear:
'Drug Dealers Deal in Death'.

As Thames Valley Police and Crimestoppers 'go back to basics' with
their latest anti-drugs campaign, the slogan is blunt; 'Class A drug
dealers sell death'.

Using a mock funeral to convey their point, complete with coffin and
hearse at

Monday's launch, the new police initiative replaces the previous 'Rat
on a Rat' campaign and focuses on the ultimate effects of
drug-taking.

At the launch, Spt Paul Tinion, Commander of the Local Police Area,
said: "Dealers cause misery in Slough just as they do in many towns up
and down the country. They ruin lives and we are determined to stamp
them out.

"We are pleased to be working with Slough Crimestoppers on this
campaign as we need information to catch and convict these dealers."

The launch boasted a poignant display of 'uppers' and 'downers' seized
from the streets of Slough in the last two weeks, and was laid bare in
its entirety beside a coffin, kindly supplied by funeral directors HC
Grimstead.

The drug haul included: A kilo of cannabis taken from a nine kilo
bust, a 'snowball' of crack cocaine - both with a street value of
#1,000, heroin, amphetamines, cannabis oils, hash, skunk, and various
drug paraphernalia used by addicts.

For Thames Valley Crimestoppers, vice chairman of the regional board
Heather Harper, said: "The vast majority of calls we receive are about
drugs offences. Likewise, the majority of arrests and charges relate
to drugs.

"Indeed, as a result of one call last year drugs worth #5.5 million
were seized in a single raid in the Thames Valley.

"It shows that we must maintain the pressure and keep reminding people
that tackling the drugs problems, or indeed any crime, cannot be left
to the police alone."

An undercover cop, who does not wish to be named, told the Express
that as a result of anonymous tip-offs, eight investigations a day are
launched and four convictions a week are made that would not be
brought about if not for Crimestoppers.

"Just think of how many lives that were saved just on anonymous phone
calls alone. We want people to grass the dealer on their street, on
their roads, their friends, relatives - and anyone else involved in
drug dealing.

"Out of the thousands of anonymous calls made to Crimestopers last
year, 80 per cent were drugs related," he said.

The 'Drug Dealers Deal in Death' initiative will be promoted through
the distribution of 60,000 leaflets to houses in Slough; posters on
bus shelters and the sides of buses; as well as the distribution of
material through clubs, pubs, shops, restaurants and other places
where people congregate.

Crimestoppers has been working in conjunction with Thames Valley
Police, Slough Borough Council, the Drugs Action Team, and other
agencies to develop the new campaign.

Phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 08000 555 111 if you have
information. 
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